What are the best software options for inbox placement and deliverability monitoring?

Summary

The best software options for inbox placement and deliverability monitoring vary based on needs and budget. Validity (Everest, formerly 250ok) and eDataSource are identified as major players, offering comprehensive solutions. GlockApps is highly recommended for detailed reporting and testing. Google Postmaster Tools and Microsoft SNDS provide valuable free data for Gmail and Microsoft senders, respectively. MailMonitor serves as a more affordable option. Other mentioned tools include Kickbox, Inboxable, Send Forensics, Litmus Email Analytics, and GMass's Inbox Placement Tester. Monitoring sending reputation through tools like Return Path's Sender Score is also crucial.

Key findings

  • Key Players: Validity (Everest) and eDataSource are established comprehensive solutions for deliverability monitoring.
  • GlockApps' Strengths: GlockApps is repeatedly recommended for its detailed reporting on inbox placement and spam filter hits.
  • Free Options: Google Postmaster Tools and Microsoft SNDS offer free, valuable data for senders using their services.
  • Budget-Friendly: MailMonitor provides a more affordable option for basic inbox placement monitoring.
  • Reputation Matters: Actively monitoring sending reputation is critical for maintaining good deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Needs Assessment: Clearly define your specific deliverability monitoring needs before choosing a software solution.
  • Budget Constraints: Consider your budget, as options range from free tools to expensive enterprise platforms.
  • Service Coverage: Evaluate the platforms based on the amount of email provider coverage they have.
  • Platform Integration: See if the monitoring can be integrated with existing sending platforms
  • Reputation Focus: Look into what tools will provide a comprehensive reputation overview.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

Several software options exist for inbox placement and deliverability monitoring, ranging from free tools provided by Google (Postmaster Tools) and Microsoft (SNDS) to premium, comprehensive platforms like Validity Everest (formerly 250ok). GlockApps is frequently recommended for detailed reporting and inbox placement testing across various ISPs. MailMonitor is suggested as a more budget-friendly option. Other solutions include eDataSource, Send Forensics, Litmus Email Analytics, Inboxable, and GMass's Inbox Placement Tester. Recommendations often emphasize defining specific monitoring needs before investing in a solution.

Key opinions

  • Free Tools: Google Postmaster Tools and Microsoft SNDS offer valuable, free data on sender reputation and deliverability.
  • GlockApps: GlockApps is highly recommended for its detailed reporting on inbox placement and spam filter performance.
  • MailMonitor: MailMonitor provides a more affordable solution for basic inbox placement monitoring.
  • Premium Platforms: Validity Everest (formerly 250ok) is an enterprise-level platform providing comprehensive deliverability solutions.
  • Variety of Tools: A range of tools exist, catering to different needs and budgets, including eDataSource, Send Forensics, Litmus Email Analytics, Inboxable, and GMass.

Key considerations

  • Define Needs: Clearly define your specific deliverability monitoring needs and goals before selecting a software solution.
  • Budget: Consider the budget, as solutions range from free tools to expensive enterprise platforms.
  • Comprehensive vs. Basic: Decide whether you need a comprehensive platform covering all aspects of deliverability or a simpler tool focused on inbox placement.
  • Features: Evaluate the features offered by each tool, such as reporting, testing, and integration capabilities.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that Google's Postmaster Tools and Microsoft's Smart Network Data Services are free and valuable. For inbox placement, he suggests eDataSource, 250ok or Glockapps and agrees with eDataSource's UX.

October 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from GMass shares their Inbox Placement Tester tool for a quick way to assess Gmail inbox placement.

October 2021 - GMass
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks mentions Mail Monitor as a cheaper version for inbox placement.

June 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests Send Forensics as a provider.

December 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendForensics offers solutions for email deliverability, focusing on identifying and resolving issues that impact inbox placement.

May 2022 - SendForensics
Marketer view

Email marketer from MailMonitor provides a monitoring service for inbox placement.

September 2022 - MailMonitor
Marketer view

Email marketer from G2 recommends GlockApps for its detailed reporting on inbox placement and spam filter hits across various email providers.

May 2021 - G2
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailchimp explains that Inbox Placement is a premium feature to identify and fix deliverability problems, and see how campaigns perform on different email providers.

November 2022 - Mailchimp
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus promotes their Email Analytics feature to track spam filter results and deliverability issues within their email testing platform.

July 2023 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailToolTester recommends Mailmonitor for simple monitoring and GlockApps for advanced testing, while noting Validity Everest as an enterprise solution.

March 2024 - EmailToolTester
Marketer view

Email marketer from emaildeliverability.com recommends using a combination of tools like Return Path, 250ok (Validity Everest), and GlockApps for comprehensive deliverability monitoring, covering reputation, authentication, and inbox placement.

December 2022 - emaildeliverability.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from Inboxable promotes their platform which offers a user-friendly interface to monitor inbox placement.

May 2024 - Inboxable
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit recommends GlockApps for deliverability testing and inbox placement monitoring, highlighting its ability to show how emails are categorized by different ISPs.

June 2023 - Reddit

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

Experts in email marketing recommend a variety of tools for inbox placement and deliverability monitoring. The major players identified are eDataSource and Validity (formerly 250ok), alongside tools like Glockapps, Kickbox, Mail Monitor, and Inboxable. Monitoring sending reputation is also emphasized, with solutions like Return Path's Sender Score, Google Postmaster Tools, and Microsoft SNDS being highlighted as useful.

Key opinions

  • Major Players: eDataSource and Validity are identified as major players in the deliverability monitoring space.
  • Tool Variety: A range of tools exist, including Glockapps, Kickbox, Mail Monitor, and Inboxable, catering to different needs.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Monitoring sending reputation is crucial, with tools like Return Path's Sender Score, Google Postmaster Tools, and Microsoft SNDS offering valuable insights.

Key considerations

  • Tool Selection: Consider the specific features and capabilities needed when selecting a deliverability monitoring tool.
  • Reputation Importance: Prioritize monitoring sending reputation using available tools and data.
  • Tool Cost: Be aware that some platforms have an additional cost, such as 'Validity'
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise discusses the need for senders to monitor their sending reputation, listing tools such as Return Path's Sender Score, Google Postmaster Tools, and Microsoft SNDS.

November 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks provides a list of inbox placement and deliverability monitoring software which includes Validity, eDataSource, Glockapps, Kickbox, Mail Monitor and Inboxable.

March 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that the two big players in the market are eDataSource and Validity. She mentions eDS has a nice interface and the 250OK interface was decent when it was separate.

April 2021 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
3Technical articles

Several resources offer valuable data for monitoring email deliverability. Validity's Everest provides a comprehensive platform for planning, executing, and measuring email campaigns. Google's Postmaster Tools offers data on spam rate, domain reputation, and feedback loops for Gmail senders. Microsoft's SNDS allows senders to monitor the health and reputation of their IPs when sending to Microsoft email services.

Key findings

  • Everest: Validity's Everest is a comprehensive platform for managing email campaigns and deliverability.
  • Google Postmaster Tools: Google Postmaster Tools provides valuable data for Gmail senders, including spam rate and domain reputation.
  • Microsoft SNDS: Microsoft SNDS enables senders to monitor the health and reputation of their IPs when sending to Microsoft email services.

Key considerations

  • Platform Choice: Choose a platform that aligns with your specific needs and email sending environment (e.g., Gmail, Microsoft).
  • Data Analysis: Regularly analyze the data provided by these tools to identify and address any deliverability issues.
  • Proactive Approach: Use these tools proactively to maintain a healthy sending reputation and ensure optimal inbox placement.
Technical article

Documentation from Google explains Postmaster Tools which provides data on spam rate, domain reputation, and feedback loop to help diagnose and fix deliverability issues for senders using Gmail.

February 2023 - Google
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains SNDS (Smart Network Data Services) which allows senders to monitor the health and reputation of their sending IPs when sending to Microsoft email services.

January 2024 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from Validity explains that Everest is a platform that helps marketers plan, execute, and measure email campaigns with tools for pre-send testing, inbox placement monitoring, and reputation management.

July 2021 - Validity